Coolant getting into bilge

[Darb Opar]

Why would coolant be leaking out the heat exchange cap? Could it be too much pressure? Also, how much water should I add to a coolant that is 50% antifreeze and 5-% coolant? I have Crusader CH 220 1983 chevy small block

 

[mthieme]

Re: Coolant getting into bilge

Every other spring mine have a leak. I think the squirrels must get in there and loosen it just to spite me. I usually get away with just tightening the bolt. This year I had to pull the whole unit out and replace the bottom cap gasket. Of course I did the top one while I was at it.
Since this happens so often I consider it normal checklist item in spring.
I treat the antifreeze the same way I do my other vehicles - good to at least 0 degrees.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Coolant getting into bilge

Just as I hit the "submit reply" button, I realized that my previous post applies to seawater. If you're getting antifreeze out the heat exchanger, you have a more expensive problem. If it's anything like mine, there are many smaller tubes inside the exhchanger which the antifreeze circulates within. I would suspect a leak in one of those tubes.